The Quadricycle battle: 5 arguments against the vehicle

A look at 5 key objections experts have against allowing quadricycles on our roads

The government is expected to take a decision on allowing quadricycles on our roads anytime after September 26th. A meeting of auto companies with the transport ministry recently, saw the industry split in two halves with the likes of Tata Motors, M&M, Maruti Suzuki and TVS vehemently opposing the introduction of quadricycles in India, seeking improved rules and regulations on safety and emission norms. But others like Eicher Motors, Piaggio and Bajaj Auto who have already developed the product, are resisting any further postponement of this decision.
 

"Any move to artificially postpone the introduction of quadricycles would be to put the interest of some selfish corporates ahead of the good of all customers, who would like to choose a greener and safer vehicle. Thus an effort to do so is not one that provides a level playing field but rather one that promotes cartelization" Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto Limited had told this newspaper earlier this month.  

While Bajaj might want to portray this as a battle of vested interests, upsetting his first mover advantage, independent auto experts that Business Standard spoke to seem to think there are legitimate issues around the introduction of the quadricycle that need to be minutely debated before it is permitted to be rolled out.

 

Here are their top 5 concerns:

 

#1 Globally, the quadricycle is more a golf cart kind of product used as a leisure vehicle and not as a mass transport vehicle. Not too many are seen on the road primarily because of the safety aspect, leading to a dip in sales over the years. 

 

#2 Bajaj and others are pitching for European norms of safety for the quadricycle, but experts argue that more stringent checks are needed in India as the quadricycle will be used as a transport vehicle, similar to an auto rickshaw, and almost certainly overloaded with passengers beyond the permissible limit.

 

#3 The quadricycle in its proposed form does not meet safety or emission norms, and the existing regulations do not have clarity. Government rules state that it can presently be used only as an intra city commercial vehicle – i.e. as a taxi or for fleet operations, but not as a personal vehicle. Experts say enforcing guidelines that define city limits etc. will need time.

 

#4 In a country that witnesses close to 1.5 lakh deaths every year, the Quadricycle will further deteriorate road safety. Studies show the fatality risk in a quadricycle is 10 to 14 times higher than a car.

 

#5 Beyond concerns on safety and emissions, experts caution that the demand for such a product could be tepid and the viability aspect needs to be debated in more detail before a new category is introduced. While the quadricycle is an upgrade to the three wheeler, people may not want to migrate because
A) it is a closed door product that will constrain capacity
and
B) there aren’t significant upgrades it offers on issues like safety.

 

The government is hearing objections from various stakeholders till 26 th  September and is expected to announce its decision shortly after tomorrow's deadline.